Restaurant boss murder hunt
61-YEAR-OLD RAN ITALIAN IN CITY CENTRE
A MURDER investigation has been launched after a popular restaurant boss was found dead at his home.
Tributes have poured in to Giuseppi Roncari, a 61-year-old Italian, who was well known in the Manchester restaurant community.
Mr Roncari’s body was discovered at his two-bedroom flat on Blackburn Street, in the Trinity area of Salford.
It is believed he had been killed the previous week but had been undiscovered for several days.
The complex has been cordoned off as forensic officers comb for clues.
Mr Roncari, who was known as Giorgio, had been a manager at the now-closed Avalanche restaurant in Manchester city centre.
A former colleague said: “He was a lovely man. He was the front of house manager there. It’s such a shame.”
The M.E.N. has learned that Mr Roncari had been arrested in connection with drug offences and was on bail. He had not been charged. Due to the police involvement previously, Greater Manchester Police have voluntarily referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
A GMP spokesman said: “The matter is being investigated by the Professional Standards Branch within GMP and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
It is understood Mr Roncari had also worked for a while at the now-closed Home restaurant in Altrincham. At the time of his death he was the director of restaurant company D and GR Ltd, registered to his Salford home.
Detectives are investigating after Mr Roncari’s body was found by police at around 7.20pm on Monday. He had suffered injuries which officers are treating as suspicious.
A post-mortem investigation has been conducted, but the exact cause of his death is yet to be ascertained.
Officers launched a murder investigation and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Det Insp Andy Butterworth, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “We need people with information about his death to contact us so we can provide answers for his family who will have to deal with this traumatic news.”
Friends have paid tribute to Mr Roncari on social media.
Justine Geraghty said: “Feeling so sad. Giorgio Roncari you were an amazing person. You lit up a room with you energy and personality.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 5351 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.